AP GoPo & Economics MistaBale

THE OUTLINE
What is this? The outline is a way you can approach any research paper. In the case of this paper, it may help you organize your sub-points, your evidence, the counterarguments and the conclusion. The outline that you see below is designed around a five sub-point paper. Your paper may not have five sub-points and thats fine, but the structure is here none-the-less. Your paper may not always have two or just two pieces of evidence with explanation per supporting statement per sub-point thats fine too. Add on as youd like if you want to use the outline. Hope this is helpful! I. Introduction A. Introductory statement B. Background Information (may be more than just two following information points) i. Background Information Point Naturally, the format of the ii. Background Information Point introduction isnt very flexible. C. Thesis Statement Anchored by your thesis D. Main Transition Sentence to Next Body Paragraph statement, the introduction First Main Topic and Statement (Body Paragraph 1) needs to have all these A. Supporting Statement 1 elements. Be sure your thesis 1. Evidence 1 accurately serves as the 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 blueprint for the paper. 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis 2 B. Supporting Statement 2 Critically important is the 1. Evidence 1 explanation/analysis element! 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 Dont dump your facts on the 3. Evidence 2 page make sure to tell the reader WHY this piece of 4. Explanation/Analysis 2 evidence matters. Remember C. Supporting Statement 3 to consider Starter Words 1. Evidence 1 to help frame your evidence. 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 Starter words that force you to 4. Explanation/Analysis write explanation are: D. Opposing Viewpoint Thus E. Response to Opposing Viewpoint This shows F. Closing/Transition Sentence This illustrates Second Main Topic Statement (Body Paragraph 2) Therefore A. Supporting Statement 1 This exemplifies This highlights 1. Evidence 1
This proves/disproves

II.

III.

IV.

V.

2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis 2 B. Supporting Statement 2 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis 2 C. Supporting Statement 3 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis D. Opposing Viewpoint E. Response to Opposing Viewpoint F. Closing/Transition Sentence Third Main Topic Statement (Body Paragraph 3) A. Supporting Statement 1 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis 2 B. Supporting Statement 2 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis 2 C. Supporting Statement 3 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis D. Opposing Viewpoint E. Response to Opposing Viewpoint F. Closing/Transition Sentence Fourth Main Topic Statement (Body Paragraph 4) A. Supporting Statement 1 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis 2 B. Supporting Statement 2 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1

AP GoPo & Economics MistaBale

The amount of evidence or the number of supporting statements youll have per subpoint will widely vary depending on your paper. What is shown (3 supporting with two evidence) would likely be the maximum for any given subpoint.

The opposing viewpoint should be strong and specifically address the subpoint. Dont be overly repetitive as you apply the opposing viewpoint(s) from subpoint to subpoint. Your response should then critique the opposing viewpoint as you get the last word on why your argument is still the stronger of the two. This area is critically important because it shows the strength of your side of the argument. Papers missing successful integration of opposing viewpoints arent argumentative in nature they are simply position papers.

3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis 2 C. Supporting Statement 3 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis D. Opposing Viewpoint E. Response to Opposing Viewpoint F. Closing/Transition Sentence VI. Fifth Main Topic Statement (Body Paragraph 5) A. Supporting Statement 1 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis 2 B. Supporting Statement 2 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis 2 C. Supporting Statement 3 1. Evidence 1 2. Explanation/Analysis 1 3. Evidence 2 4. Explanation/Analysis D. Opposing Viewpoint E. Response to Opposing Viewpoint F. Closing/Transition Sentence VII. Conclusion A. Restatement of thesis/argument. B. Review of main points made. Powerful/convincing ending statement.

AP GoPo & Economics MistaBale

In an essay of the 6-8 page length, its probably unlikely that youd have a fifth sub-point in your argument. Doing so would probably require barebones subpoints leading up this point. Id suggest developing three strong subpoints with evidence before considering a fourth and fifth subpoint. This way youll be able to fully explain your statements and provide legit evidence versus the alternative of flying through points without establishing the credibility of those arguments.

A restatement doesnt need to be a copy of the thesis, but it does need to be apparent enough that weve come full circle with our argument.